DATE: April 16, 2024
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Director of Maintenance Services
SUBJECT: Adopt A Resolution Authorizing the Transfer and Appropriation of $275,000 from Measure C Capital Fund (Fund 406) to Fleet Replacement Fund (Fund 736, Project 07302) and the Procurement of an Aerial-Lift Forestry Bucket Truck from Altec Inc.
RECOMMENDATION
That Council adopts a resolution (Attachment II) authorizing the transfer and appropriation of $275,000 from Measure C Capital Fund (Fund 406) to Fleet Replacement Fund (Fund 736) and authorizing the City Manager to execute the procurement of an aerial-lift forestry bucket truck from Altec Inc (Altec).
SUMMARY
Maintenance Services’ Landscape Division maintains over 30,000 street trees and performs municipal landscaping, vegetation management, weed and brush abatement throughout the City. In FY 2024, Council approved an additional (2) FTE tree crew to further support the Division’s efforts in maintaining and growing the City’s urban forest. Considering the current industry-wide delay in vehicle production, staff is recommending the transfer and appropriation of $275,000 from Measure C Capital Fund (Fund 406) to Fleet Replacement Fund (Fund 736, Project 07302) to procure a readily available aerial-lift forestry bucket truck.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Recently, the City has experienced limited production, timely delivery, and escalating acquisition costs for new fleet vehicles which continues in the marketplace nationwide. While there are lengthy delays for all types of vehicle production, larger and more complex vehicles have been the most severely impacted. Current lead times for a forestry truck and similar machinery are over 3-years from the purchase date. An aerial-lift forestry bucket truck is a piece of heavy equipment with a hydraulic pole (“boom”) that has a person-carrying bucket at its end. This equipment allows staff to manicure and maintain trees of all heights safely.
Through the City’s network of suitable vendors, staff was able to locate a forestry truck that meets the needs of the Department and is readily available for purchase. Staff recommends purchasing the vehicle from Altec, a leading provider of products and services to electric utility and tree care. Fleet staff is knowledgeable and experienced maintaining Altec heavy equipment, especially due to its history of superior performance and easily available maintenance parts at the warehouse in Sacramento. The procurement of the forestry truck will be done through the cooperative agreement with Sourcewell, a third-party administrator that completed the competitive bidding process.
Staff recommends transferring funds from Measure C Capital Fund (Fund 406) to the Fleet Replacement Fund (Fund 736) for this procurement. In June 2014, voters approved Measure C, a half-cent (1/2) sales tax to help fund general services in several priority areas, including illegal dumping, litter control, and beautification projects, among others. In a 2023 resident survey, residents valued removing blight and vegetation, responding to climate change, and street maintenance. The additional tree crew directly supports these values and also implements Measure C projects, such as the median beautification projects along arterials. To support the additional tree crew, an aerial-lift forestry bucket truck is required.
ECONOMIC IMPACT
Purchase of the forestry truck will support tree trimming and maintenance activities, which directly contribute to a safer City by mitigating risk, reducing fire hazards, and removing environmental blight.
FISCAL IMPACT
The FY 2024 Adopted CIP has sufficient fund balance for the transfer and appropriation of $275,000 from the Measure C Capital Fund (Fund 406) to the Fleet Replacement Fund (Fund 736) for the procurement of an aerial-lift forestry bucket truck. There will be no impact to the General Fund.
STRATEGIC ROADMAP
This agenda item is a routine operational item and does not directly relate to the Strategic Roadmap projects. However, the purchase and use of the equipment will support the Quality of Life Priority.
SUSTAINABILITY FEATURES
Purchase of the forestry truck will enable the City to improve service delivery in areas with overgrown tree canopies, dense vegetation, and reduce fire hazards.
PUBLIC CONTACT
This agenda item requires no public contact.
NEXT STEPS
If Council approves staff’s recommendation, the City Manager will transfer and appropriate $275,000 from Measure C Capital Fund (Fund 406) to Fleet Replacement Fund (Fund 736, Project 07302) and execute the procurement of the forestry truck from Altec Inc.
Prepared by: Manny Grewal, Management Analyst
Recommended by: Todd Rullman, Director of Maintenance Services Approved by:
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Kelly McAdoo, City Manager